Work back on track to reopen swimming pool

A COMMUNITY swimming pool in Southampton is back on track to open early next year despite delays in construction, civic chiefs say.

Oaklands Community Pool, in Lordshill, is being restored as part of a £1.7m project.

The work, being funded by Southampton City Council, initially started in February but was hit by delays due to complications with the pool ceiling.

But Coxford ward councillor Sally Spicer insists the pool will be opening in January next year, as planned.

The pool, in Fairisle Road, was closed in 2012 due to a long-standing leak. The closure led to the establishment of a Save the Oaklands Pool which fought to get it opened again.

The council agreed in October last year to finance its refurbishment before it is run by the Oaklands Community Pool group on a 25-year lease.

The Lordshill Community Association will also move into rooms being created as part of a community hub for activities.

Work was delayed this summer due to the condition of the pool ceiling.

But Coxford ward councillor Sally Spicer said the works are “back on schedule” with the authority due to hand it over to the community group by the end of November before opening to the public in the new year.

She said: “This is going to be really good for the community. There’s going to be a brand new pool with a 20 to 30-year life which will open to the public in January.

“Swimming is good exercise and a life skill for children, and now there are swimming clubs that can come back to the pool which have previously had to go elsewhere.”

Dan Lally, who will be the new pool’s facilities manager, is looking forward to the opening. He said: “It’s excellent and will have a positive impact on the community.”

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He said the group remained patient during the delays, and added: “We need the pool to be right and make sure it is up together so we can have a good future.”

Council leader Simon Letts said: “It’s been a long complex process but it’s going to be very good for the community. It’s the benefit of the pool and the generation of a community hub which will be useful for community groups.”

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Comments (4)

Council leader Simon Letts said: “It’s been a long complex process but it’s going to be very good for the community. It’s the benefit of the pool and the generation of a community hub which will be useful for community groups.” A change of heart from Councillor Letts

Council leader Simon Letts said: “It’s been a long complex process but it’s going to be very good for the community. It’s the benefit of the pool and the generation of a community hub which will be useful for community groups.”
A change of heart from Councillor Lettssouthy

Council leader Simon Letts said: “It’s been a long complex process but it’s going to be very good for the community. It’s the benefit of the pool and the generation of a community hub which will be useful for community groups.” A change of heart from Councillor Letts

Score: 4

sotonboy84 says...4:36pm Mon 1 Sep 14

southy wrote…

Council leader Simon Letts said: “It’s been a long complex process but it’s going to be very good for the community. It’s the benefit of the pool and the generation of a community hub which will be useful for community groups.” A change of heart from Councillor Letts

Vote catcher Southy. According to the Council they're broke and cutting services left right and centre but easily find £1.7m to spend on something the city already has a few of.

[quote][p][bold]southy[/bold] wrote:
Council leader Simon Letts said: “It’s been a long complex process but it’s going to be very good for the community. It’s the benefit of the pool and the generation of a community hub which will be useful for community groups.”
A change of heart from Councillor Letts[/p][/quote]Vote catcher Southy.
According to the Council they're broke and cutting services left right and centre but easily find £1.7m to spend on something the city already has a few of.sotonboy84

southy wrote…

Council leader Simon Letts said: “It’s been a long complex process but it’s going to be very good for the community. It’s the benefit of the pool and the generation of a community hub which will be useful for community groups.” A change of heart from Councillor Letts

Vote catcher Southy. According to the Council they're broke and cutting services left right and centre but easily find £1.7m to spend on something the city already has a few of.

Score: 4

tootle says...7:14pm Mon 1 Sep 14

Running scared is what. Had at least 2 of the 3 local councillors wandering the street this Sunday. Elections are looming. This facility is needed. It was always well used when my children were young. No reason to think it will not thrive. Yes the City has more swimming pools - but so it should - swimming is a life skill and it is fun. How about a couple of new paddling pools - could start with one up the Sports Centre.

Running scared is what. Had at least 2 of the 3 local councillors wandering the street this Sunday. Elections are looming.
This facility is needed. It was always well used when my children were young. No reason to think it will not thrive. Yes the City has more swimming pools - but so it should - swimming is a life skill and it is fun. How about a couple of new paddling pools - could start with one up the Sports Centre.tootle

Running scared is what. Had at least 2 of the 3 local councillors wandering the street this Sunday. Elections are looming. This facility is needed. It was always well used when my children were young. No reason to think it will not thrive. Yes the City has more swimming pools - but so it should - swimming is a life skill and it is fun. How about a couple of new paddling pools - could start with one up the Sports Centre.

Score: 4

sotonboy84 says...10:39am Tue 2 Sep 14

tootle wrote…

Running scared is what. Had at least 2 of the 3 local councillors wandering the street this Sunday. Elections are looming. This facility is needed. It was always well used when my children were young. No reason to think it will not thrive. Yes the City has more swimming pools - but so it should - swimming is a life skill and it is fun. How about a couple of new paddling pools - could start with one up the Sports Centre.

You're missing the point. In an ideal world the city would have everything it wanted and residents wouldn't pay Council Tax. The point is the Council claim to be cash strapped and are cutting services all over the city. So when the city has a few other pools to choose from, why not divert this money into saving a service that will be lost entirely?

[quote][p][bold]tootle[/bold] wrote:
Running scared is what. Had at least 2 of the 3 local councillors wandering the street this Sunday. Elections are looming.
This facility is needed. It was always well used when my children were young. No reason to think it will not thrive. Yes the City has more swimming pools - but so it should - swimming is a life skill and it is fun. How about a couple of new paddling pools - could start with one up the Sports Centre.[/p][/quote]You're missing the point. In an ideal world the city would have everything it wanted and residents wouldn't pay Council Tax.
The point is the Council claim to be cash strapped and are cutting services all over the city. So when the city has a few other pools to choose from, why not divert this money into saving a service that will be lost entirely?sotonboy84

tootle wrote…

Running scared is what. Had at least 2 of the 3 local councillors wandering the street this Sunday. Elections are looming. This facility is needed. It was always well used when my children were young. No reason to think it will not thrive. Yes the City has more swimming pools - but so it should - swimming is a life skill and it is fun. How about a couple of new paddling pools - could start with one up the Sports Centre.

You're missing the point. In an ideal world the city would have everything it wanted and residents wouldn't pay Council Tax. The point is the Council claim to be cash strapped and are cutting services all over the city. So when the city has a few other pools to choose from, why not divert this money into saving a service that will be lost entirely?

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